Ballistic Shield

ABSTRACT

A ballistic shied comprising opposing front and rear sides, the rear side having one or more hand and/or arm engagement means fixedly attachable thereon. Wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable on the rear side such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said first hand and/or arm being free or engagable with the handle means, such that said first hand retains functionality permitting use thereof for other tasks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ballistic shield and in particular to ahandheld ballistic shield.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handheld ballistic shields are known for use in situations wherein usersmay be subjected to ballistic attack. Known shields typically comprise aballistic proof plate or plates having a handle or strapping arrangementsuch that a user may hold and manipulate the shield to provide therequired protection. Whilst known shields adequately preform the task ofpreventing travel of ballistics through the shield and into contact withthe user, they can at times be cumbersome to operate where it is alsorequires that the user carryout other tasks or manoeuvres simultaneouslysuch as operation of, loading, or support of weaponry or the like.

It would be desirable to provide a shield that may be utilised withoutlimiting a user's ability to carry-out other required manoeuvres.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a ballistic shieldcomprising opposing front and rear sides, the rear side having one ormore hand and/or arm engagement means fixedly attachable thereon,wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable onthe rear side such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retainedusing a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said firsthand and/or arm being free or engagable with the one or more hand and/orarm engagement means such that said first hand retains functionalitypermitting use thereof for other tasks.

Advantageously, the user may utilise an arm to support and carry theballistic shield, but maintain use of the hand of this same arm foroperation of weaponry or carrying out any other such task. Most notably,a user can use said hand to retrieve weaponry from a holster, loadweaponry, fire weaponry, and/or support a weapon whilst firing.

Preferably, the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable proximalan edge of the rear side.

Ideally, the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable proximal theupper edge of the rear side.

Preferably, the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable less than3 inches from the upper edge of the rear side.

Most preferably, the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatableapproximately 1.5 inches from the upper edge of the rear side.

Ideally, the hand and/or arm engagement means comprises at least onehandle or hand strap.

Preferably, the at least one handle or strap comprises a single handleor hand strap.

Ideally, the at least one handle or strap comprises two handles/handstraps.

Preferably, the at least one handle or strap is configured to extendgenerally parallel to the upper edge of the rear side of the ballisticshield.

Ideally, the at least one handle or strap is configured to extend acrossthe palm of a user only during use and does not engage with theremainder of said hand.

Preferably, the ballistic shield comprises a ballistic elementconfigured to prevent or inhibit travel of a ballistic from a first sidethereof to a second side thereof, and a housing element configured tohouse the ballistic element.

Ideally, the housing element comprises a flexible enclosure into whichthe ballistic element may be removably inserted.

Preferably, the flexible enclosure is a fabric enclosure.

Ideally, the rear side of the ballistic shield is formed by the rearside of the fabric enclosure.

Preferably, the rear side comprises one or more attachment elementsconfigured to facilitate attachment of the ballistic shield to the armof a user.

Ideally, the one or more attachment elements comprise fabric elementsattached to the rear side forming attachment loops.

Preferably, the arm straps are passable through the attachment loops andaround the arm of a user to secure said arm to the ballistic shield.

Ideally, a plurality of attachment loops are provided between the topedge of the rear side and a bottom side thereof such that arm straps maybe selectably attached at differing locations depending on use or thephysical dimensions of the user.

Preferably, a plurality of arm straps are attachable via the pluralityof loops such that attachment is provided to the arm of a user at aplurality of longitudinal locations along the forearm.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof manufacturing a ballistic shield comprising the steps of: forming anenclosure comprising opposing front and rear sides; attaching one ormore hand and/or arm engagement means on the rear side of said enclosureat a position such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retainedusing a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said firsthand and/or arm being free or engagable with the one or more hand and/orarm engagement means such that said first hand retains functionalitypermitting use thereof for other tasks; and inserting into the enclosurea ballistic element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example andwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a ballistic shield;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ballistic shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ballistic shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the ballistic shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5a is a rear view of the ballistic shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5b is a side view of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5c is a front view of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a rear side of a ballistic shield having asingle hand-engaging strap; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rear side of an alternative embodimentballistic shield having a single hand-engaging strap;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present teaching will now be described with reference to anexemplary ballistic shield. It will be understood that the exemplaryballistic shield is provided to assist in an understanding of thepresent teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion.Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference toany one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or otherequivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the presentteaching.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a ballistic shield10 comprising opposing front and rear sides 11, 12, the rear side 12having one or more hand and/or arm engagement elements 13, 13 a fixedlyattachable thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the hand and/or armengaging elements comprise one or more hand straps 13, 13 a locatable onthe rear side 12 such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retainedthereby using a first hand and/or arm of a user. It should be understoodthat, in the exemplary embodiment the straps are flexible hand straps13, 13 a, however may take a rigid form in some embodiments. When a userretains the ballistic shield using the one or more hand straps 13, thefirst hand of said first hand and/or arm of the user is engagable withthe one or more hand straps 13, 13 a such that said first hand retainsfunctionality permitting use thereof for other tasks. Advantageously,the user may utilise a first arm and/or hand to support and carry theballistic shield, but maintain use of the hand of this same arm foroperation of weaponry or carrying out any other such task. Most notably,a user can use said hand to retrieve weaponry from a holster, loadweaponry, fire weaponry, and/or support a weapon whilst firing.

The one or more hand straps 13, 13 a are locatable proximal the upperedge 14 of the rear side 12. The top edge 14 refers top the tope edge 14of the ballistic shield 10 when in use. Resultantly, a hand can beinserted through the one or more hand straps 13 such that the one ormore hand straps 13, 13 a rest across the palm of said hand. The fingersand thumb of said hand therefore retain the majority of theirfunctionality/dexterity. The hand straps 13, 13 a are sized such thatthey do not extend beyond the palm of a user. Given that the insertedhand is located proximal the upper edge 14 of the rear side, said handmay be positioned by the user to extend above the ballistic shield 10and be utilised to support weaponry or the like in a position permittingthe said weaponry to be aimed over the top of the ballistic shield 10for firing. During such support of weaponry, the hand is also at leastpartially retaining/manipulating the ballistic shield 10 as required bythe user. In addition, the fingers and thumb of the inserted hand arefree to carry out operations such as reloading of weaponry or retrievingweaponry or ammunition from a holster or the like. In a preferredembodiment, the one or more hand straps 13, 13 a are locatable less than3 inches from the upper edge 14 of the rear side 12. In a most preferredembodiment, the one or more hand straps 13, 13 a are locatableapproximately 1.5 inches from the upper edge 14 of the rear side 12. Asshown in FIG. 3, the one or more hand straps 13, 13 a of the embodimentof FIG. 1 comprises two hand straps 13, 13 a which each extend betweentwo attachment points 15, 15 a, 16, 16 a proximal the top edge 14. In apreferred embodiment, the attachment points 15, 15 a, 16, 16 a arelocatable less than 3 inches from the upper edge 14 of the rear side 12.In a most preferred embodiment, the attachment points 15, 15 a, 16, 16 aare locatable approximately 1.5 inches from the upper edge 14 of therear side 12. However, it should be understood that the positioning ofthe one or more hand straps 13, 13 a is a key aspect and the straps maytake any reasonable form that allow the hand to be insertabletherethrough, and positioned across the wearers palm, whilst maintainingsufficient functionality of the hand as previously discussed. Forexample, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the one or more strap may comprise asingle strap 35 similar to strap 13 of FIGS. 1 to 5, or as shown in FIG.7 may comprise a single strap 36 similar to strap 13 a of FIGS. 1 to 5.The one or more hand straps 13, 13 a, 35, 36 are preferably elasticatedhand straps. The one or more hand straps 13, 13 a, 35, 36 engage withthe palm of a user but are not intended to be grabbed by the user. Inthis way the hand of a user is free to carry out other operations asdiscussed above. Attachment points 15, 15 a, 16, 16 a of the hand straps13, 13 a may be provided with eyelets 37 for additionalstrength/reinforcement.

The ballistic shield comprises a ballistic element 17 configured toprevent or inhibit travel of a ballistic projectile from a first sidethereof to a second side thereof, and a housing element 18 configured tohouse the ballistic element. In preferred embodiments, the ballisticelement 17 is a plate comprised of Ultra High Molecular WeightPolyethylene (UHMWPE) material such as Dyneema® from DuPont™. However,the plate 17 may be manufactured from any material suitable forballistic armour. The UHMWPE material is fibre spun and bonded togetherinto sheets, the sheets are then in turn pressed and cut into a plate17. The resulting plate 17 is strong, light weight, floats, doesn'tabsorb liquids and is non-toxic. It is as strong as high tensile steeland comparatively flexible. The housing element 18 comprises a flexibleenclosure into which the ballistic element may be removably inserted. Inpreferred embodiments, the flexible enclosure is a fabric enclosure 18.The fabric enclosure is manufactured from a material having sufficientdurability and strength. Most preferably, the fabric enclosure 18 is aModular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) enclosure 18constructed form CORDURA® fabric. The fabric enclosure 18 may alsocomprise a trauma pad on the rear side 12, the rear side 12 being theside facing a user during use. As shown in FIG. 5b , The trauma pad 19provides protection for the user of the shield 10 to limit injury causedby ballistic impact when wearing the shield 10. The trauma pad 19 iscontained entirely within the fabric enclosure 18. The trauma pad 19 isinstalled within the fabric enclosure 18 during the manufacturingprocess and is rectangular in shape having dimensions which generallymatch the dimensions of the enclosure 18. The fabric enclosure 18defines an interior cavity which has a complementary shape to theballistic element 17 such that the ballistic element 17 is easilyinserted into the fabric enclosure 18 and the fabric enclosure 18conforms to the shape of the inserted ballistic element 17. The fabricenclosure further comprises an opening 20 about an end 21 thereof, theopening extending along said end 21 to permit insertion of the ballisticelement 17 into the fabric enclosure 18. The opening 20 may be providedwith a closure element 22 which may be opened to expose the opening forinsertion of the ballistic element 17, and closed to retain theballistic element 17 within the fabric enclosure 18 once inserted. Inthe embodiment of the drawings, the closure element is a flap 22 formedintegrally with the fabric enclosure 18 at a first end and which issecurable to the front side 12 of the fabric enclosure at a second endusing a hook and loop type fastening or any other such suitablefastening. However, the skilled person would understand that anysuitable closure element could be utilised. In the embodiment of thedrawings, the opening 20 is located at the bottom end 21 of the fabricenclosure 18. However, the skilled person would understand that theopening 20 and associated closure element 22 could be formed along anyside of the fabric enclosure 18 in alternative embodiments.

The rear side 12 of the fabric enclosure 18 comprises one or moreattachment elements 23 configured to facilitate attachment of theballistic shield 10 to the arm of a user. As is best viewed in FIG. 1the one or more attachment elements 23 comprise fabric elements 23attached to the rear side which may be self joined to form loops 23. Thefabric attachment elements 23 are joined to the fabric enclosure 18 viaMOLLE loops/pouches 24. MOLLE or the similar Pouch Attachment LadderSystem (PALS) comprise a system of attachment loops formed by a matrixof reinforced strips of material attached to an item (in the presentinvention the fabric enclosure 18) at various positions along theirlength, the spaces between these attachment points forming loops orpouches into which items may be places or via which items may beattached. MOLLE and PALS would be well known to the person skilled inthe art in relation to ballistic shields and the like. As is best seenin FIG. 1, the MOLLE loops/pouches 24 form a matrix 25 on the rear sideof the fabric enclosure 18. Arm straps 26 are passable through theattachment elements 23 and around the arm of a user to secure said armto the ballistic shield 10. In the preferred embodiment, each arm strap26 is attached to the fabric enclosure 18 via two attachment elements23. The matrix 25 of the MOLLE loops/pouches permits the arm straps 26to be selectably attached at differing locations depending on use or thephysical dimensions of the user. In some embodiments, only one arm strap26, or no arm straps 26, are attached. In the embodiment of the drawingstwo arm straps 26 are provided such that attachment is to the arm of auser at a plurality of longitudinal locations along the forearm isfacilitated. Where a plurality of arm straps 26 are provided, they maybe of differing dimensions, for example as can be seen in FIG. 3, thelower arm strap may be wider then the upper arm strap. The arm straps 26are secured to the fabric enclosure 28 and/or the attachment elements 23by fastening elements 27. The fastening elements 27 are preferablysnap/push button fasteners 27 or the like, but can be of any suitabletype. The Matrix 25 of MOLLE loops/pouches may also be utilised toattach other elements such as ammunition, items of weaponry etc asrequired. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the arm straps 26 are provided withadjustable securing elements 28 such as a buckle 28 or the like whichare configurable to secure a first side 29 of the arm strap 26 to asecond side 30 thereof at a desired location in order to size the armstrap 26 to the users arms. The adjustable securing elements may also beadjusted such that the arm straps 26 are slightly larger than a user'sarm and retained in this configuration. Resultantly, the user may leavethe arm straps 26 in a configuration which permits rapid deployment ontotheir arm and removal therefrom. Once the shield 10 has been deployed itshould be secured to a support arm of the user, allowing the arm to befully functional and unrestricted, with a full range of movement. Thehand of the support arm will also be unrestricted with a full range ofmovement, able to grab, carry and open objects. The shield should besecure but comfortable on the arm and not move or swing as the usermoves. The arm straps 26 and fabric elements 23 may be constructed formCORDURA® fabric or a similarly durable and strong fabric, types of whichwould be well known to the skilled person.

Mirrors 31 may also be attached to the rear side of the fabric enclosure18 which may be used to permit a user to see behind them, or intorooms/around obstacles. The mirrors 31 are preferably attached proximalthe upper edge 14 of the fabric enclosure 18 on each side of the one ormore strap 13. The mirrors 31 are preferably round mirrors and may beconvex in shape to further increase their effectiveness.

Whilst the above generally describes an operational embodiment of theballistic shield 10, a training embodiment is also envisioned. Thetraining embodiment is essentially as described above, with theballistic element 17 being replaced with a board which does notnecessarily comprise any ballistic protection properties, such as awooden board. In the preferred training embodiment, the ballisticelement 17 is replaced with a Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) plate.Resultantly, a cost effective training version of the ballistic shieldmay be utilised for training purposes where actual ballistic protectionproperties are not required.

In the preferred embodiment of the ballistic shield, the ballisticelement 17 has a longitudinal length between the top and bottom ends ofapproximately 48 cm, a width of 30 cm, and a thickness/depth of 1.5 cm.The ballistic element weighs approximately 1.3 Kg. In the preferredembodiment of the ballistic shield, when combined, the fabric enclosure18 and the ballistic element 17 have a longitudinal length between thetop and bottom ends of approximately 49 cm, a width of 31 cm, and athickness/depth of 2.5 cm. The ballistic element weighs approximately2.2 Kg.

It should also be noted that the ballistic shield may be configured suchthat the at least one strap 13 and arm straps 26 are positioned toengage the supporting arm of a user such that said supporting armextends in an oblique fashion across the rear side 12 of the ballisticshield. In such an embodiment, for a user using their left arm as asupporting arm, the at least one hand strap 13 may for example belocated proximal the top right corner 32 of the rear side 12 of theballistic shield and along the top edge 14 or right hand edge 33proximal said corner 32. The arm straps 26 in such an embodiment arelocated such that the supporting arm of a user, when inserted therein,extends obliquely from proximal said top right corner 32 generallytowards the left edge 34 of the rear side 12 of the ballistic shield.The arm straps 26 may be adjusted and positioned as discussed above suchthat the oblique nature of the supporting arm relative to the ballisticshield 10 may be set to provide maximal comfort and functionality forthe user.

In use, a user inserts a hand of a supporting arm through the one ormore strap 13 such that the one or more strap 13 rests across the palmof said hand. The user then secures the ballistic shield 10 to theforearm of the supporting arm using the arm straps 26. Once attached tothe supporting arm via the arm straps 26, the one or more hand straps 13should not be grabbed by the user but rather be allowed to simply extendacross the palm. The ballistic shield 10 may then be manipulated withthe supporting arm whilst the hand of the supporting arm is free tocarry out other tasks as required.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein butcan be amended or modified without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A ballistic shield comprising: opposing front and rear sides, therear side having one or more hand and/or arm engagement means fixedlyattachable thereon; wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagementmeans is locatable on the rear side such that, in use, the ballisticshield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, thefirst hand of said first hand and/or arm being engagable with the atleast one hand and/or arm engagement means such that said first hand atleast partially retains functionality permitting use thereof for othertasks.
 2. The ballistic shield of claim 1, wherein the hand and/or armengagement means is locatable proximal an edge of the rear side.
 3. Theballistic shield of claim 2, wherein the hand and/or arm engagementmeans is locatable proximal the upper edge of the rear side.
 4. Theballistic shield of claim 3, wherein the hand and/or arm engagementmeans is locatable less than 3 inches from the upper edge of the rearside, and most preferably approximately 1.5 inches from the upper edgeof the rear side.
 5. The ballistic shield of claim 1, wherein the handand/or arm engagement means comprises at least one handle or strap. 6.The ballistic shield of claim 5, wherein the at least one handle orstrap is configured to extend generally parallel to the upper edge ofthe rear side of the ballistic shield.
 7. The ballistic shield of claim6, wherein the at least one handle or hand strap is configured to extendacross the palm of a user only during use and does not engage with theremainder of said hand.
 8. The ballistic shield of claim 1, wherein theat least one handle or hand strap comprises a single handle or strap. 9.The ballistic shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle or handstrap comprises two handles/hand straps.
 10. The ballistic shield ofclaim 1, comprising a ballistic element configured to prevent or inhibittravel of a ballistic from a first side thereof to a second sidethereof, and a housing element configured to house the ballisticelement.
 11. The ballistic shield of claim 10, wherein the housingelement comprises a flexible enclosure into which the ballistic elementmay be removably inserted.
 12. The ballistic shield of claim 11, whereinthe rear side of the ballistic shield is formed by the rear side of theflexible enclosure.
 13. The ballistic shield of claim 12, wherein therear side comprises one or more attachment elements configured tofacilitate attachment of the ballistic shield to the arm of a user. 14.The ballistic shield of claim 13, wherein the one or more attachmentelements comprise fabric elements attached to the rear side, the fabricelements being configured to form attachment loops.
 15. The ballisticshield of claim 14, wherein arm straps are passable through theattachment loops, around the arm of a user, and self attached to securesaid arm to the ballistic shield.
 16. The ballistic shield of claim 15,where a plurality of attachment loops are provided between the top edgeof the rear side and a bottom side thereof such that arm straps may beselectably attached at differing locations depending on use or thephysical dimensions of the user.
 17. The ballistic shield of claim 16,wherein a plurality of arm straps are attachable via the plurality ofloops such that attachment is provided to the arm of a user at aplurality of longitudinal locations along the forearm.
 18. A method ofmanufacturing a ballistic shield comprising the steps of: forming anenclosure comprising opposing front and rear sides; attaching one ormore hand and/or arm engagement means on the rear side of said enclosureat a position such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retainedusing a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said firsthand and/or arm being free or engagable with the one or more hand and/orarm engagement means such that said first hand retains functionalitypermitting use thereof for other tasks; and inserting into the enclosurea ballistic element.